D-Day for boss Ryan as Carlow face final hurdle

KEVIN RYAN has sampled the big day atmosphere in Croke Park before with his native Waterford but today’s experience as he manages Carlow in the Christy Ring Cup final (4pm) will be far removed from that.

He is not talking about the game, which is as important as any he has been involved in. If Carlow win, they will be promoted to the top tier, a phenomenal achievement. No, what Ryan is referring to is the attendance, or sparseness of it, and the resultant absence of sense of occasion. And he thinks the GAA have done today’s final a disservice because of that.

“I think it should be in Croke Park but with a bigger game as it was set out originally. I think they are basically dishonouring the final by what they’re doing. I’m happy it’s in Croke Park but it should be in with a bigger game.”

He recalls the All-Ireland semi-final with Waterford in 2004, when Kilkenny’s early goal rush crushed Déise dreams.

“You went out and there were 70,000 people there. You spend a minute or two, and you try not to, but you’re looking at the size of it and talking to players. I remember doing the warm-up with Gerry Fitzpatrick and trying to talk to the players; you just couldn’t do it right even though we had prepared for it. We had lost communication. We adapted to it since, these are the things you learn.”

A man who played in the 1989 Munster final for Waterford before injury ushered him into coaching at a young age, Ryan came to Carlow with a major reputation. Having won county titles from underage to senior with his home club Mount Sion, he branched out to Oulart-The-Ballagh, and produced the goods there.

When the Wexford job was up for grabs after John Myler’s dismissal, Liam Dunne made a strong case for Ryan to be given a go, but instead the post went to Colm Bonnar. He was ready for a county gig though and when fellow Mount Sion man Jim Greene resigned as Carlow boss, Ryan was tasked with retaining the Christy Ring Cup title and securing a spot in the exalted company of Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary, Waterford et al. Now he’s one step away from delivering.

Standing in Carlow’s way are a Down outfit fresh from a brilliant performance in the Ulster final a fortnight ago. The Mournemen are keen to move up to the Liam MacCarthy level and will not be easily cowed.

Ryan admitted: “I’m expecting them to be very confident. They probably expect to win it, without being cocky. That brings a different challenge. If they start well they could be very difficult to break down.

“I’m expecting a tight game. I hate clichés, but it’s about who performs best on the day. They will feel they have underachieved and have a point to prove. Again it’s all about how you play it. Mental strength will be key.”

The final is the last game of a triple-header at Croke Park today, with the Nicky Rackard (2pm) and Lory Meagher (noon) deciders completing the programme.

Meath and London cross swords in the Rackard final.

TJ Reilly’s Royals crew will be firm favourites, on the strength of a 13-point differential between the sides last year, but London have improved dramatically.

Donegal and Tyrone get proceedings under way, with Donegal expected to come out on top by virtue of their two easy wins in the league and Ulster championship this year.

Tony Fawl’s troops have nothing to lose however and will attempt to draw strength from the phenomenal success the Red Hand has had in Croke Park with the big ball. Tyrone recovered from a dreadful start to the year where they were whipped 7-21 to 0-8 by London. They only managed one win in the league so exceeded expectations reaching Croke Park. Victory would represent a major surprise, however.